Institute for the Study of Business Markets Helps Translate Academic Research into Business Product and Service Excellence

ATLANTA, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Business (www.coxbusiness.com) announced today that it recently became a new member of the Institute for the Study of Business Markets, a renowned marketing think tank established in 1983 and housed in Penn State's Smeal College of Business. The organization is dedicated to expanding research of business-to-business marketing and sales in academia and improving the practice of these disciplines for member firms.

"Cox continually evolves its products and strategy to maintain its leadership in business telecommunications solutions and actively pursues relationships that aide in this pursuit," said Murray Goldstein, director of commercial marketing strategy, Cox Communications. "The Institute for the Study of Business Markets provides research tools and facilitates sharing of ideas that will help Cox more effectively communicate with its business customers."

The Institute for the Study of Business Markets consists of approximately 100 associated researchers from around the world, including a group of fellows that member organizations can access directly. Cox Business is one of seventy-seven companies to join the Institute for the Study of Business Markets and expects to contribute to the diversity of ideas and experience represented in the group.

"Many schools and organizations are focused on consumer marketing, but the Institute for the Study of Business Markets uniquely provides business-to-business marketing research and tools that are not available from any other source," said Ralph Oliva, executive director of the Institute for the Study of Business Markets. "We create a dialogue among industry practitioners such as Cox Business that encourages excellence in marketing, product and service delivery. Each member benefits from the sharing of ideas and more effective marketing practices help raise all boats in this challenging economy."

As part of its membership, Cox Business has access to insight and detailed analysis from researchers around the world. Cox Business marketers will also enroll in educational and development courses to refine their marketing skills and share ideas through networking with colleagues from other industries. Cox Business will receive coaching and specific advice on its marketing programs and work with the Institute for the Study of Business Markets to establish benchmarks for analysis. Due to the organization's close association with Penn State, member companies also receive consulting services from current MBA students, particularly valuable as Cox Business seeks to establish relationships with the business owners of the future.

Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for nearly 250,000 small and regional businesses, including health care providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. Cox Business leads all providers of small and midsize business data solutions in customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Major Provider Business Telecommunications Study(SM). Cox is currently the seventh largest voice service provider in the U.S. and supports more than 600,000 business phone lines. For more information about Cox Business, visit www.coxbusiness.com o llamar al 1-800-396-1609.

Acerca de Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers. The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network. Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses. Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services. Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel. More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com/espanol, www.coxbusiness.com y www.coxmedia.com.

SOURCE: Cox Communications

Web site: http://www.cox.com/